This is the first time that more activities for the World Social Forum, which gets underway today in Caracas, Venezuela, have been proposed by organizations from an outside country - in this case, Brazil - than ones from the country hosting the event.

This observation was made by professor Cândido Grzybowski in an interview for the Brazilian state-owned Radio Nacional. Grzybowski, a sociologist and director of the Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analyses (IBASE) is one of the founders of the forum.

According to the professor, Brazil's strong presence at this year's (6th) edition of the forum "has to do with the fact that four of the five previous editions were held here in Brazil."

He informed that more than 2,300 activities are scheduled to take place at the event, and he emphasized that most of the agenda is decided by the participants.

According to Grzybowski, one of this year's innovations is an idea circulating among political leaders to hold a leaders' forum. He said that this is a real possibility and that such a group "could counteract the G8," the group consisting of the world's seven richest countries and Russia."

Grzybowsky foresaw that this year's edition of the forum will be viewed as a "mosaic of options" extant on the Latin American political scene: "Some will prefer what is happening in Chile, others will defend the Brazilian experience, others will favor Argentina, and still others, Venezuela."

Claiming that the Social Forum is an open space, Grzybowsky pointed out that there is "a respect for diversity and a gamut that runs from extreme left to center-right."

According to the professor, the forum creates a culture "that denies leadership pretensions, be they by activists or bearers of ideological banners."

In his opinion there is room for all, and everyone follows his (her) own ideology. "There is confrontation there, however," he underscored and summarized that the space at the forum "is for people to confront each other and, through the confrontation, come up with something better as alternatives for the future and grow stronger in the process."

Agência Brasil

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Brazil and W.S.F.
written by Guest, January 24, 2006

But you will shortly seize.....South America.

And you want to seize the world, explaining them how to cheat the citizens through wrong statistics, hidden facts, corruption and vote buying.

You are truly a world champion. You even excel in what is described above !

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The Observer
written by Guest, January 24, 2006

I think Professor Candido Grzybowski has a point here regarding this Social Forum and should be noted by those who are optimistic and want positive changes.

Since he has claimed that this forum is an open space where there is respect for diversity and a gamut that runs from extreme left to centre-right, i would take this to mean there is scope for changes and that these changes will include, and take on board, the full spectrum of different views, idioligies and opinions.

I will agree that a healthy debate (on all topics) and constructive confrontation will do wonders for the Latin American region and hope that this will bring forth
positive changes which can be built upon and can grow from strength to strength.

Yes i do know this is an election year where election spin and all types of fancy proposals are put to the general public, and am also aware that in the past ministers and writers of this website have probably given alot of misleading information which has now made some people quite pessimistice. However, it is up to the people to judge for themselves what is electioneering or realistic - and if they do not see visible changes, do not vote for this present government and then moan endlessly for the next few years.

These are my opinions based on the contents of this article and have presented them because Professor Grzbowski has raised some very interesting points and i don't even know him.

For those of you who are cynical, you are most welcome to your opinions.

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YEs !
written by Guest, January 24, 2006

They did not seize it, they stole it,

Candido Grzybowski?
What is this "Grzybowski" some new form of life?

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YEs !
written by Guest, January 24, 2006

They did not seize it, they stole it,

Candido Grzybowski?
What is this "Grzybowski" some new form of life?

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